Ethical Perspective

My Workplace Ethical Dilemma

Ethics is the general term for the study of morality. In philosophy, ethical behavior is that which is "good" or "right" (en.wikipedia.org, "Ethics," n.d.). As humans we are frequently faced with making decisions based on certain situations and your ethics, personal or otherwise. These situations can and will arise at home and at work. Those decisions can be as simple as what to eat for breakfast; however others are difficult and will challenge our ethics and morals. What was the last dilemma you where faced with? Were your ethics challenged?

I was recently faced with a workplace dilemma that challenged my personal code of ethics. When the situation was presented I knew what the outcome would be, however it was still personally challenging. To set the stage; I am the Platform Engineering Lead for Northrop Grumman Information Technology (NGIT), supporting Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. (VAII) in Hawthorne. VAII has worked through severe cost reductions since September 11 (9-11). This year Vought requested NGIT to reduce their contract price by 3.6 million dollars. Obviously this would mean NGIT would have to consider a reduction in work force (RIF) and services to meet this request.

In early-April I was notified, as Hawthorne lead, one of my staff members would be laid-off. David, the employee to be laid-off, had been with the company for twenty-one years. As a lead in the state of California, I am not allowed to hire or fire an employee, therefore someone from management would be out one week later to notify David. As there were multiple sites having to give notice to employees, it was decided my manager, Lynn, would be in Nashville and my director, Tom, would come to California. My personal ethics urged me to tell David, as I believe that is the honest approach.

In analyzing this situation my personal ethics were not altered by the fact that I am David's immediate supervisor, however, my personal ethics had to be set aside in regards for my position and my work ethic. My personal beliefs are 100% honesty at all times. I knew that David could benefit from the knowledge of the impending layoff. If I was not in a position of authority I would have told him. In fact, one year ago it was hinted a contractor was going to be terminated. I let him know without thinking twice. Of course I was not a supervisor at the time.

In this situation, the staff members were aware lay-offs would happen, but since Hawthorne has always maintained a lean staff, the general consensus was we were safe. I obviously knew better. When the staff questioned me on whether Hawthorne would be affected by the layoffs, I had to stretch the truth. I had to generalize and give my opinions on the situation; that being no-one was safe. The staff needed to look at the ticket counts and number of customers we have to support versus that of the other sites. I would have serious consequences if I would have implied and or confirmed someone from Hawthorne was to be laid-off. At best I would have been demoted and at worst terminated from the company. This gave great weight against my personal ethic and for my work ethic as it pertains to my position.

One week after I was informed of my staff reduction, Tom arrived